EJC Calls on Muslim Leaders to 'Become Part of Solution'

The European Jewish Congress (EJC) has called on Imams and Muslims leaders to condemn the recent anti-Semitic attack in France.

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Rachel Hirshfeld, 06/06/12 08:04

European Jewish Congress President Dr. Moshe

Israel News photo: Flash 90

The European Jewish Congress (EJC) has called on Imams and Muslims leaders to unequivocally condemn the recent anti-Semitic attack against three Jews in southeast France, in an effort to combat the growing rate of anti-Semitic attacks in Europe.

President of the EJC Moshe Kantor identified the predominance of Muslim incitement against Jews as one of the major factors contributing to the increasingly hostile and hateful atmosphere against Europeans Jewry.

“Unfortunately, there are mosques and Muslim centers in Europe where people are taught that Jews are the enemy and they should be attacked,” Kantor said. “There is mounting documented evidence of this and in addition to calling on the law enforcement agencies to clamp down on incitement we are also calling on Imams and Muslim leaders to become part of the solution and unequivocally condemn attacks against their fellow European citizens.”

The attack on Saturday in Villeurbanne, near Lyon, comes only a few months after the murders in Toulouse and many other attacks against Jews around Europe, particularly in Malmo, as well as Belgium and Manchester.

“I have frequent meetings and ongoing deliberations with European political leaders to discuss enforcement of existing laws and other legal issues relating to anti-Semitic attacks, but I would also welcome the opportunity to meet with my counterparts in the European Muslim community to discuss how to combat hatred, intolerance and incitement so Jews can feel safe again in various cities and towns across the continent,” Kantor said. “It is in all of our interests that outside conflicts should not be imported to the European continent and used as an excuse for anti-Semitic attacks.”